My thanks to Peter Dean for sending me a copy of his anthology Best of Poems in return for an honest review. It’s my pleasure to share that review today.

Published on 15th January 2024, Best of Poems is available for purchase here. 

Best of Poems

Best of Poems is a collection of Peter Dean’s poems taken from the best of the poems in his poetry books. They are family friendly and very diverse in theme but they all tell a story through rhyming verse.

My Review of Best of Poems

A collection of poetry for all readers.

If your poetic preference is for the challenging literary verse of the likes of the Metaphysical poets or perhaps the Romantics, Best of Poems is not for you. However, if you want to be entertained by an accessible, varied and relatable set of poems that can be shared amongst all age groups, then Best of Poems could be just what you’re looking for. 

Peter Dean has a lively and engaging style that feels light and often quite humorous as he understands just what makes humanity tick. Yet, underneath that seemingly casual approach, is a much deeper set of themes. Peter Dean considers all kinds of human experience and emotion from love to guilt. His poems are varied and wide ranging, covering everything from the experience of an asylum seeker, to the loneliness of an elderly and increasingly frail woman, right through to the effects of cowboy power washers, the weather and kittens at Christmas. This means that there really is a poem for any reader in Best of Poems. I certainly identified with Leanne’s attitude to garden gnomes in Beauty.

I enjoyed encountering the wide cross-section of humanity between the pages of Best of Poems. It was heart-warming to encounter those who’ve loved and lost, those who know the value of tomato soup and even Sir David Attenborough! I think Bombshell was my favourite poem in the collection because it encompassed the concepts of fame, appearance, truth and the impact of celebrity that so affects many in society, but you’ll need to read Best of Poems to see if you agree that’s it’s your favourite too! 

About Peter Dean

Peter has been writing for pleasure and publication since 1989 when he had a poem published in a magazine. Since then Peter has self-published several books of stories and poems, and has had stories in magazines such as Dream Catcher, Dandelion Arts Magazine and Take a Break.

You’ll find all of Peter’s books here. 

My enormous thanks to Isabel Williams at Harper Collins for sending me a surprise copy of Very Slowly All At Once by Lauren Schott. It’s my pleasure to share my review of Very Slowly All At Once today. 

Very Slowly All At Once is published by HQ on 29th January 2026 and is available for pre-order through the publisher links here. 

Very Slowly All At Once

Mack and Hailey Evans are on the cusp of living the American Dream. Established careers, two beautiful children, and a new house on a coveted lakefront estate.

But modern life is expensive, so the anonymous payments they start to receive are spent before they know it. Could this money be from Mack’s estranged father? Or one of Hailey’s clients? Does it really matter?

Then they discover that this mysterious benefactor expects a return on their investment. How far will the couple have to go to pay them back?

As it turns out, the best things in life are not free. And the price is far steeper than they could have imagined …

My Review of Very Slowly All At Once

Mack and Hailey have it all – almost!

Very Slowly All At Once is utterly brilliant. It is one of those reads that kept me entranced throughout. The short and pacy chapters, the italicised interspersions of commentary that make the reader complicit in the action, and the unbearable tension all combine to make this a fantastic read. 

I thought the characterisation was so clever. I really didn’t like Mack much as he felt selfish, weak and immature with his hedonistic desire to be another Hemingway. Equally, I thought Hailey was rash, conceited and far too concerned with societal appearance, so that at times I was glad they were finding their lives hard going – it served them right! This had the effect of making me feel as evil as the ‘Instigator’, ensuring I was totally wrapped up in the narrative. But at the same time I was completely invested in what happened to Mack and Hailey. Lauren Schott might have made me feel a slight contempt for her protagonists, but she made me care about them at the same time. That is such skilful writing. 

I loved the setting too. The social divide in Cleveland as Bratenahl residents feel superior to those in less salubrious areas seemed totally authentic. The disregard of the less fortunate by the privileged in a community, sectioning off public rights of way, and the literal and metaphorical fracturing of place was so deftly handled and made me far more grateful for my own life and modest surroundings.

The plot of Very Slowly All At Once simply races along with so many ‘what if’ suggestions and decisions to be made that it really is a breathless read. Its impact also comes from the twisted morality presented. Throughout the story it’s impossible not to question what the reader might do in similar circumstances to Mack and Hailey. I defy a reader not to have to reconsider their own ethics when faced with the same situation. In addition, the concept that actions have consequences is like a punch in the solar plexus. This is a book to make you think as well as to entertain and leaves the reader realising how easy it is for a life to unravel.

Other themes add layers of depth and interest too. The role of money and technology in the modern world features strongly, as does the concept of being careful what you wish for. Family dynamics are explored, alongside nature and nurture so that whilst we might disapprove of or judge the actions of the characters, we understand them completely. I found the portrait of marriage between Mack and Hailey very authentic, even as I despaired at their behaviour towards one another at times. All these aspects combine to create a story that is simply gripping. 

I don’t want to reveal too much about the narrative action for fear of spoilers, but Very Slowly All At Once made my heart thump with excitement and my brain whirl with possibility and questions. I absolutely loved reading it. It’s fantastic and not to be missed. 

About Lauren Schott

Lauren Schott is a freelance editor and ghostwriter with over 20 years experience in book and magazine publishing. She was a literary agent in New York and London for 15 years and has written children’s books published by Scholastic and Orion. She was born and raised in Ohio but now lives in Henley with her husband and two children.

For further information, find Lauren on Instagram. 

It’s my very great pleasure to welcome Lulu Morris to Linda’s Book Bag today to tell me all about her latest book. My enormous thanks to Kate at Canelo for putting us in touch with one another.

Let’s find out more:

Staying in with Lulu Morris

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Lulu and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Absolute pleasure! Hopefully, I can bring some Caribbean sunshine to warm these long dark nights of winter!

That would be wonderful. I love the Caribbean. That said, tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it? 

I’ve brought my first romcom, The Dating Pact.

And it’s out today! Happy The Dating Pact publication day. Isn’t romcom a change of genre for you?

I’ve been writing historical romances since 2021 with Mills & Boon, but I was desperate to write a contemporary romcom with a plus-size heroine and a Hollywood hero, and so, The Dating Pact was born! 

I think a plus-size heroine is so relatable for many readers. How has The Dating Pact been received so far?

So far, I’ve had some lovely comments from reviewers and fellow authors who received an early copy, but I think Laura Carter’s comment that it’s, ‘At an intersection of Notting Hill and The Proposal…packed full of heart and humour,’ is a brilliant description.

You must be delighted with that description. Is The Dating Pact a one off?

This book is part of a three book series, showing the lives and loves of people who work behind the scenes in film and tv.

It sounds as if it could become a film or television series itself! What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

Well, I live in Essex and my heroine Ellie is from East London, so it has to be a bottle of prosecco – we can celebrate the new year and the official release of The Dating Pact, out today. 

I’m very fond of a glass of prosecco Lulu. 

But I’ve also brought a tropical cocktail, called a Bahama Mama (Pineapple and lime juice, grenadine, two types of rum – we can make it a mocktail if you don’t like rum), it’s full of sunshine fruits. 

I love a cocktail even more – I could tell you a story of excess rum punch in Barbados after a snorkelling trip, but that’s for another occasion. Let’s just say that walking in a straight line was beyond me. But why a Bahama Mama?

Ellie and Alex agree to fake date at his brother’s wedding on a private island in the Bahamas, and they drink this cocktail by the pool.

That sounds perfect. 

Food wise I’ve got plenty of nibbles, home-made sausage rolls, crisps and dips, scotch eggs – with soft yolks- of course, and a box of Guylian Belgian chocolate seashells… 

So, we can bring the beach to us. We’ll put on some fun pop music and banish the January blues away.

This is almost as good as heading off to the Caribbean on a cruise – something I love to do in January! I think The Dating Pact sounds like the most glorious escapism. But who’s that with you?

I’m inviting Ellie and Alex’s family to our get together. Ellie’s family are Londoner’s born and bred, her Nan is hilarious, and although her mum and brother can be hard work sometimes, their heart is in the right place. They own a flower shop, so they’ll probably bring you some lovely flowers too.

Food, prosecco, cocktails, music, flowers…I’m inviting you back Lulu. You’re my kind of guest!

Alex’s family are all Hollywood actors, and will keep us entertained with stories of their showbiz life. But be warned, there’s a lot of family rivalry and hurt feelings behind those mega-watt smiles.

You’re making me think of Tolstoy here – ‘All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way’. 

Family drama is a huge theme in my book, and even though everything works out in the end, there’s some painful home-truths learned along the way.

I think The Dating Pact sounds utterly wonderful, Lulu. Thank you so much for telling me all about it. I think you should mix us all a Bahama Mama and I’ll give readers a few more details.

The Dating Pact

He’s acting royalty. She’s a nurse at The Royal hospital. What happens when their scripted romance starts to feel too real…?

When Ellie bluffs her way into a high-end party with her best friend, the last thing she expects is to end up going home with infamous actor Alex King, because he’s too drunk to remember what hotel he’s staying in. But when the paparazzi catch them together the morning after, their new friendship suddenly becomes the tabloids’ front page.

Alex needs a plus-one. Not only is his brother marrying his ex, but he’s become the villain in the eyes of the press. With a loved-up date by his side, the public might finally see him as moving on and his new play might finally get the ticket sales it needs to not close down.

But a wedding in the Bahamas, surrounded by gorgeous celebrities, with the paparazzi lurking everywhere, is plus-sized Ellie’s worst nightmare. Even as Alex’s displays of affectionate become more real and less fake, will she lose a part of herself during their pact?

Published by Canelo today, 15th January 2026, The Dating Pact is available for purchase here.

About Lulu Morris

Lulu lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two children, and two cats. She writes funny, sexy and uplifting romances. She is a director for the RNA where she has volunteered for 4 years and has published 10 historical romances for Mills & Boon which have been translated into German, French and Italian.

For further information, visit Lulu’s website or find her on Instagram and TikTok.

I’m not entirely sure whether I owe thanks to Robert or Sophie at Viper for sending me a surprise copy of Vivian Dies Again by C.E. Hulse, but either way, I’m very grateful. It’s my pleasure to share my review of Vivian Dies Again today. 

Vivian Dies Again is published by Viper on 29th January 2026 and is available for purchase through the links here. 

Vivian Dies Again

Time heals all wounds. Except blunt force trauma.

Vivian Slade is a cautionary tale. The wrong side of thirty, she’s no longer the life and soul of the party – she’s a party of one. But she’s determined to turn over a new leaf, even if that means going to a family gathering where everyone hates her.

Turns out, someone really hates her – enough to push her off a balcony to a very messy end. But then Vivian wakes up! Only to be murdered again. And again. Stuck in a baffling time loop, Vivian’s only ally is a sleep-deprived waiter who just wants to finish his shift. Will Vivian be able to solve her own murder? Only time will tell…

My Review of Vivian Dies Again

Viv is having a bad day – again.

I have one tiny criticism to get out of the way before my review proper of Vivian Dies Again and that is that I could have done with slightly fewer expletives throughout. That said, they absolutely fit Viv’s life! Indeed, they do add to the humour and despite having murder at its heart, Vivian Dies Again is incredibly funny. Viv’s insight into the world around her is brilliant and her pithy statements frequently summed up my own opinions so that I laughed aloud on several occasions.

I thought Viv was a magnificent creation. She’s truly dreadful, so it’s no wonder people might want to murder her, and yet I loved her unreservedly. Her attempts to be a better person are thwarted at every turn and she still manages personal change and growth. She drinks to excess, takes illegal substances, steals and offends as if all these vices are all going out of fashion but she is the perfect anti-hero. She may not follow societal rules but she has a strong sense of morality, knows she is often in the wrong and, actually, is emotionally appealing because all Viv really wants is to be loved and accepted. I may have laughed at her as well as with her, but I was rooting for Viv throughout. Beneath her loud partygoing exterior is a vulnerability that balances her character perfectly. 

And my goodness does Viv experience a torrid time in this refreshingly different type of groundhog day. The plot is so entertaining and engaging. I loved the Shakespearean Touchstone nature of Jamie who helps lead both Viv and reader through the events of Vivian Dies Again, ensuring that Viv is able to change, murder is solved – though not necessarily the murder the reader is expecting – and solutions of many kinds are reached – though to say more would spoil the read.

The themes are just fantastic too. Certainly Vivian Dies Again can be read as a witty, entertaining story, but underpinning the narrative are thought-provoking and interesting considerations. Morality is questioned, but so too are concepts of family, friendship and marriage, making the reader think. I thought the exploration of chance and possibility was brilliant and, although I approached Vivian Dies Again expecting an easy, diverting read, it actually made me question aspects of my own life in a rather surprising manner so that it had depth as well as entertainment value.

It’s quite hard to categorise Vivian Dies Again. It is quite mad, huge fun and I thought it was fabulous. I really recommend it.

About C.E. Hulse 

Photo credit : Nathan Cox

C.E. Hulse lives in Manchester with her husband and a small controlling dog. She is the author of four books under the name Caroline Hulse: The Adults, Like a House on Fire, All the Fun of the Fair, and Reasonable People. Her work has been published in fourteen languages and optioned for television. Vivian Dies Again is her debut crime novel.

For further information, visit Caroline’s website or follow C.E. Hulse on X @CarolineHulse1 and Instagram.

My enormous thanks to Will Dean for giving me a very early copy of Adrift at Capital Crime last June, as one Lincolnshire dweller to another. I’ve been desperate to share my review of Adrift for months and, although there’s a few weeks still to go until publication, I can’t wait any longer. Consequently, I am delighted that Adrift is my first review of 2026.

I adore Will Dean’s writing and you’ll find my reviews of other books by Will here.

Adrift is published by Hodder and Stoughton on 19th February 2026 and is available for purchase through the publisher links here.

Adrift

Three of them adrift on the narrowboat.

Mother, son, and wickedness.

Peggy Jenkins and her teenage son, Samson, live on a remote stretch of canal in the Midlands. She is a writer and he is a schoolboy. Together, they battle against the hardness and manipulation of the man they live with. To the outside world he is a husband and father. To them, he is a captor.

Their lives are tightly controlled; if any perceived threat appears, their mooring is moved further down the canal, further away from civilisation. Until the day when the power suddenly shifts, and nothing can be the same again.

My Review of Adrift

Sam and his parents, Drew and Peggy, are living on a narrowboat.

My goodness! I don’t think I’ve ever read a more tense novel in my life. It’s astonishing. What Will Dean has done in Adrift is, quite literally, prevent the reader from breathing normally. My heart was pounding as I read and I was frequently aware I hadn’t exhaled for some time. And the most effective aspect of this is that much of the menace, the evil and the fear, is often merely suggested, so that the reader’s imagination is manipulated and disturbed. With coercive control as one of the themes of the novel, the author manages to create on the reader the same effect that Drew has on Peggy. 

That’s not to say that there are not highly dramatic moments too, from the very opening of Adrift through to the end, but rather than being the most disquieting elements, I found them more of a release from the tension. It was a relief when something awful happened! A couple of moments truly shocked me as I simply hadn’t seen them coming. Obviously I’m not going to spoil the story for others, but I found the plotting painfully exquisite in its construction and its impact on both characters and reader. Adrift is a masterclass in storytelling.

There’s a claustrophobic atmosphere in the way the family live on the houseboat. As Drew isolates Peggy mentally and emotionally, he also moves the family increasingly physically further away from society. Whilst what Peggy endures is filled with simmering menace that is mesmerising,  I found the developing relationship between Drew and Sam utterly terrifying. Drew is threatening and dangerous, frequently belittling Sam and yet he teaches Sam how to stand up for himself in the face of school bullies so that Sam’s life improves. There’s a chilling realisation that nothing in life is straightforward. Through their relationship, Will Dean explores the impact of nature and nurture, and the role of a father figure. Whilst Drew is abhorrent and we believe he carries out atrocious actions, there is also a seed of doubt that what has happened ‘off screen’ may not have been Drew’s fault. This is brilliantly manipulative.

I thought the themes of family, mental health, control, misogyny, friendship, love, marriage and relationship were superbly interwoven. I also adored the love letter to libraries and librarians that underpins the action. There’s a real affection for libraries as places of education and refuge, hope and solace that ameliorates some of the awful events and provides pitch-perfect balance in the narrative. 

I’m aware I’ve not really said anything tangible about Adrift, but it is so, so difficult not to provide spoilers. Adrift is one of those books that you find yourself thinking about in the middle of the night, wondering what is happening to characters after this particular part of their lives is over. It’s beautifully written without a wasted word so that it’s taut, terrifying and thrilling. I adored it. 

About Will Dean

Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands and had lived in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. After studying Law at the LSE and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden where he built a house in a boggy clearing at the centre of a vast elk forest, and it’s from this base that he compulsively reads and writes. His debut novel in the Tuva Moodyson series, Dark Pines, was selected for Zoe Ball’s Book Club, shortlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize and named a Daily Telegraph Book of the Year. Red Snow was published in January 2019 and won Best Independent Voice at the Amazon Publishing Readers’ Awards, 2019. Black River was shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Award in 2021. Will also writes standalone thrillers: The Last Thing to Burn, First Born, the top twenty hardback bestseller The Last Passenger and One at a Time.

For further information, visit Will’s website, follow him on X @willrdean and Instagram or find Will on Facebook.